99% Invisible Fifty-Four Forty or Fight
Oct 26, 2021
Vivian Leigh, a producer, dives into the quirky legal case challenging Washington's jurisdiction over the U.S.-Canada border. Kurt Kolstad, digital director, shares insights about the Peace Arch monument symbolizing friendship between nations. Lasha Madon, also a producer, recounts the ongoing humorous territorial dispute over Machias Seal Island, where both countries lay claim. They highlight the complexities, absurdities, and unique stories flourishing along this lengthy, peaceful boundary, revealing a rich tapestry of history and identity.
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State v. Norman
- In State v. Norman, defendants argued they weren't in Washington's jurisdiction when arrested with drugs.
- They claimed to be in a strip of land between Washington and Canada, challenging the border's location.
Incorrect Border Placement
- The U.S.-Canada border, despite being surveyed and marked, was incorrectly placed.
- Surveyors used straight lines, disregarding Earth's curvature, causing discrepancies of hundreds of feet.
Supreme Court Decision
- The Supreme Court rejected the defendants' argument, upholding Washington's jurisdiction.
- Justice Sanders dissented, arguing the constitution is clear, even if surveying limitations existed.